Physical Science Course Syllabus

Eastside Academy

Tan Lam

Course Description: This laboratory science course consists of two quarters of introductory level Chemistry and two quarters on introductory Physics which is structured to teach and utilize the scientific method and metric measurements in all units. Emphasis is placed on inquiry-style learning and development of skills such as observing, inferring, data collecting, and graphing.

Course Outline

1stand 2nd Quarters - Intro to Chemistry

Properties of Matter

Scientific Measurement

Atomic Structure

Electrons

Periodic Table

Ionic Bonds

Covalent Bonds

Chemical Reactions

3rd and 4th Quarters - Intro to Physics

Representing Motion

Accelerated Motion

Forces

Work

Power

Energy

Course Goals:

1. To develop Physical Science (PS) literacy through comprehensible, yet accessible lesson plans
2. To provide a laboratory program that gives students meaningful opportunities to study PS.

3. To provide a channel for the use of technology while studyingscientific principles.
4. To learn the important of PS in students everyday life
5. To inspire students to expand their science education beyond required levels

First Quarter: Next Generation Science Standards(NGSS)

Structure and Properties of Matter

HS-PS1-1 Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

HS-PS1-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.

HS-PS1-8 Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.

HS-PS2-6 Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.

Methods of Instruction and Learning:
This course will utilize laboratory experiments, textbooks, videos, and other online resources to help students meet the learning objectives in this course. Assignments will be posted on teacher website ( with detailed descriptions of each assignment. Documents handed out in class will also be posted on teacher website.
Book: Glencoe Physical Science, 2012 McGraw-Hill Education / Class Materials:
2” size 3 ring binder with pockets
Loose leaf paper
Scientific calculator
Lab notebook (composition style)
Writing utensils (pencils preferred)

Student Expectations: Students are expected to come to class on time with the necessary materials required to successfully complete their assignments. Students should be engaged and active participants in class. Students are expected to use complete sentences, make thinking visible and prove answer are correct, and verify solutions. Additionally, students are expected to be polite to one another and any staff members or volunteers involved in the day to day classroom activities. All school wide policies including dress code and food policies will be honored in class. Students need to wear closed toed shoes on lab days.

Grading
50% Participation
Daily Work grading guidelines:
•Work in pencil – ink is unacceptable.
•Complete/attempt all problems
•Show all work and thinking process
•Organize work so it is legible.
•Complete E (entry or exit) tasks
•Talk about our topic
Bring supplies to class (including sharpened pencils, ruler, colored pencils, compass, protractor, calculator, math journal, graph paper, math packet)
50% Tests/Quizzes
A variety of assessments will be used, including quizzes and tests, and projects. Students can expect a test or project at the end of each chapter.
Any assessment may be retaken to improve a grade. If a student corrects errors (showing all work/justification) on an assessment, ½ credit will be given for corrections. Corrections are due within one week after receiving the graded assessment. / Letter / Percent
A / 94-100%
A- / 90-93%
B+ / 87-89%
B / 84-86%
B- / 80-83%
C+ / 77-79%
C / 74-76%
C- / 70-73%
D / 60 – 69%
F / Below 60%

Videos/Classwork/Projects:

For each chapter we will have multiple assignments that need to be completed successfully before moving on. An addition to traditional teaching many of our assignments will be completed in class in collaborative groups, while your assignments outside of class will consist of watching online videos from Youtube.com (math and science) or khanacademy.com (math) and taking notes. Participation will also be factored into this part of the grade as I will be observing you working together in your groups. Projects will be a part of this grade, with approximately one project per quarter.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit assignments can be assigned by the teacher if the student has turned in their coursework and would like to improve their grade in the class. Extra credit is not a guarantee and it is at the discretion of the teacher and Director of Education on a case by case basis whether or not to assign it

Expectations & Discipline

•All school-wide policies as described in the Student Handbook will be enforced.

•Students are expected to do what is right. (i.e. be responsible and respectful)

•Drinks are allowed but food is not permitted in class.

•Students are expected to show enough work to justify their solution.

•Attendance Policy: described in the Student Handbook will be enforced

•Check the class website for course information

•Consistent and steady effort in classroom activities and in the completion of daily work.

•Students need to be willing to get extra help (after school if necessary) if they begin to struggle

•Failure to meet expectations will result in the consequences as described in the Student Handbook

Contact Information: Call Tan (425) 895-2413 or e-mail anytime: (preferred)

Note: This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

These guidelines are created to help maintain a classroom of integrity in which you can thrive academically. I am excited and blessed to be serving as your teacher at Eastside Academy this year. Please sign this syllabus to show that you have read and understand its contents. Thank you!

STUDENT SIGNS HERE: ______DATE: ______

PARENT SIGNS HERE: ______DATE: ______